The Federal Government of Nigeria has signed renegotiated agreements with the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) and the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), introducing new welfare measures, funding commitments and reforms for tertiary education institutions.
The agreements, signed on Tuesday in Abuja, take effect from Jan. 1, 2026, and are expected to improve staff welfare and strengthen institutional governance across polytechnics and colleges of education.
President of ASUP, Shammah S. Kpanja, signed the agreement on behalf of the union, while Chairman of the Federal Government’s renegotiation committee, Mamud Yayale Ahmed, signed on behalf of the government.
Similarly, President of COEASU, Ahmed Lawan Bazza, endorsed the agreement for colleges of education academic staff.
The signing ceremony was held at the conference room of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Abuja, in the presence of members of the renegotiation committee.
Speaking after the signing, Kpanja commended members of the union’s leadership and National Executive Council for their support and resilience throughout the negotiation process.
He described the agreement as a milestone toward improving working conditions and repositioning polytechnic education in the country.
COEASU leadership, in a statement to members, said the agreement followed prolonged negotiations and addressed critical issues affecting staff welfare and institutional development.
Among the key highlights is the retention of the CONPCASS salary structure and the introduction of a Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA) set at 40 per cent of salary.
The allowance is designed to cover academic needs such as research, publications, conferences, internet access and books.
The agreement also provides for Earned Academic Allowances (EAA) and standardized responsibility allowances for academic administrators.
Under the new responsibility allowance structure, Deputy Provosts and Librarians will receive ₦49,000 monthly, while Deans and Directors will earn ₦35,000 monthly.
Heads of Department will receive ₦17,500 monthly, while Heads of Units and Hall Wardens will receive ₦8,750 monthly.
The agreement also approved ₦200,000 per assessment for external assessment of Principal and Chief Lecturers.
In addition, the government approved the establishment of a professorial cadre in colleges of education to address career stagnation and reduce brain drain among academic staff.
Other major reforms include strengthening the dual mandate of colleges of education to award both NCE and degree certificates, with the minimum duration for degree programmes fixed at five years.
The agreement also mandates improved collaboration between the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) and the National Universities Commission (NUC) to ensure seamless implementation of academic programmes.
On funding, the Federal Government committed to improved budgetary allocations and interventions through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).
A ₦15 billion Stabilisation Fund will also be established to support colleges of education over a three-year period from 2026 to 2028.
In the area of student welfare, the agreement approved a ₦30,000 monthly stipend for students during teaching practice exercises.
It also includes provisions for improved logistics support for teaching practice supervision and other academic activities.
Further provisions of the agreement include the reconstitution of visitation panels with union representation and the establishment of an implementation monitoring committee to ensure compliance.
The government also pledged to review outsourced security arrangements in institutions to improve campus safety.
COEASU leadership described the agreement as a significant achievement in the union’s efforts to enhance staff welfare, institutional stability and the overall quality of teacher education.
The union urged members to remain united and committed to ensuring full implementation of the agreement.
The agreements are scheduled for review every three years, with the next renegotiation expected in 2029, in line with evolving civil service structures and institutional needs.
